Getting Lost in Bangkok

Last Stop on our Honeymoon, Bangkok. If you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia you probably already have Bangkok on your list. It is the capital of Thailand and is known for its elaborate shrines and wild night life. There are numerous things you can do in Bangkok, but our favorite was just getting lost in the city. Even on a short walk through this vibrant city, you will discover temples, markets, parks and some of the best pad thai you have ever tasted. Below are a few things we stumbled upon as we explored this unique city.

Temples, Temples, Temples! - You can spend days exploring all the temples in Bangkok. As a side note, even if it is 100 degrees outside, men and women must cover their shoulders and their knees. With so many temples in Bangkok, that we wanted to give you three temples that we believe are a must see:

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Buddha), which is located next to the beautiful Grand Palace, is a large temple complex and is regarded as one of Thailand's most sacred temples. They are all different temples, but each one is as beautiful as the last. On the wall surrounding the complex, you will find a masterful painting based from on a Hindu epic however, all of the the places and people depicted are Thai.
Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn - Yes it is a mouthful but it is another temple complex that is well known for its giant reclining golden Buddha. They also have rows of Buddha's throughout the complex that is seen in the picture at the end of the blog post. This place definitely has buddha, buddha, buddha rocking everywhere.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam - located right on the river and is encrusted with vibrant mosaics made from porcelain plates. This temple is regarded as one of Thailand most important religious sites!

Go to a Food and Flower Market - The market is known as Pak Khlong Talat. This is truly a market for the locals. You can see the native Thai people going about there day, running errands and picking up fresh produce and flowers. The market is more of a wholesale market where you can buy items in bulk, but there are a few items for sale individually. On the food side of the market you can see people pick up grocery staples and exotic fruits, but on the flower side is where you will find the true beauty of the market. The aisles are lined with a variety of different flowers in a rainbow of colors. You will find shop owners building different bouquets and floral arrangements that will be distributed throughout Thailand.

Take a riverboat Taxi - The best way to get around the city is the riverboat taxi. Not only is it much more scenic than sitting in the back of a cab, it is the cheapest way to get around the city. We found that the orange line had the best route for the major attractions in the city. You pay a flat fee to board the boat (around 15 baht) and can ride until you reach your destination. You must re-buy a ticket each time you re-board the taxi. Make sure you know which direction the boat is going or you will find yourself going the wrong way down the river. This may sound like common sense but this happened to us on our first try.

The Food - If you can think it, you can have it. From your favorite Thai food to delicious seafood to crunchy insects (if you can stomach it). Megan loves all kinds of Thai food from Pad Thai to Tom Yum soup, so the cuisine was right up her alley. Some of our favorite Pad Thai was on a street cart for 30 baht (which is less than $1 US). A restaurant that we really enjoyed is Patonggo Cafe. It had the perfect mixture between sweet and savory and at a price point that made us want to try everything on the menu. The photos below represent just a small sample of the amount of street food carts there was in Bangkok. Every corner had a new cart with something interesting to try. Don't be afraid to try new and adventurous foods. Bangkok is a great place to push yourself out of your comfort zone (just dont forget the Pepto Bismol).

Chatuchak Weekend Market - This is the biggest market in Thailand with more than 15,000 stalls and divided into 27 sections. They have over 200,000 visitors each weekend day. Chatuchak Market sells many different kinds of goods (including plants, antiques, electronics, cosmetics, pets, ceramics, furniture and home accessories, clothing, books and more). You can spend days exploring the miles of stalls in this market. Since there is so much competition in this area, it is easier to negotiate prices for the souvenirs you have been eyeing on your trip. Even if you do not have room left in your luggage to take something home, this unique experience is definitely worth going to.

Wachirabenchatat Park - As we were exploring Bangkok we stumbled upon a beautiful park in the middle of the city. This park offered an oasis from the busy streets and crowded sidewalks of Bangkok. Full of nature trails, Bangkok Butterfly Garden, paddle boats, driving range and more. We really just enjoyed sitting down at a bench on Lotus Lake and relaxing.

Night Life - For those of you who are looking for some nightlife look no further than Khao San Road. We enjoyed a great dinner on the street as we listened to the live music. It is also a great place for people watching, as you watch tourist from all over the world feel the full effects of whatever they are tripping on. This backpacking area is home to the biggest party animals in the city. I would not recommend staying on the main strip because it is quite a bit of noise well through the night. They also have promoters working on the street. Whether you are looking for a nightclub or aping pong show, these gentleman will find it or you.

Bangkok was a great experience and we are so glad we had the opportunity to visit this city. From the unique to the downright bizarre, this city has something for everybody, and we would highly recommend you make this a stop on any Southeast Asia trip you have planned. If you are on your way down to the beaches and islands in South Thailand, definitely give yourself a few days to enjoy this city!